LEAVE CARLTON FOR WINTER QUARTERS. 71 



among the half-breeds at all the posts on the Sas- 

 katchewan, although unknown amongst the Indians. 

 Sinclair, who acted as musician, was kept hard at 

 work, with but short respites for refreshment, and the 

 revelry continued far into the small hours. 



As winter was now close at hand, w^e hastened our 

 departure for White Fish Lake. Treemiss had decided 

 to fix his residence at the Montague du Bois, or 

 Thickw^ood Hills, about fifty miles N.W. of Carlton, 

 where large game was more abundant, and which w^as 

 nearer to the plains. The Montague du Bois had 

 moreover the additional attraction of being the home 

 of Atahk-akoohp, or " Star of the Blanket," the most 

 noted hunter of the district. La Eonde and Bruneau 

 accompanied us, to remain during the winter ; Voudrie 

 and Zear retui'uing to Fort Grarry, in charge of the 

 most valuable horses and our letters for England. 



On the 10th of October we transferred horses, 

 carts, and baggage to the north side of the Saskatche- 

 wan, and in the evening bade good-bye to the people 

 of the Fort, and followed our train, camping for that 

 night on the bank of the river. Next morning we 

 said adieu to Treemiss, as from this point our roads 

 diverged. 



We were now once more travelling through mixed 

 country. The weather was still beautifully fine, and 

 during the day pleasantly warm. The nights began 

 to be very keen, and the lakes were ah'eady partly 

 covered with a thin coating of ice. 



The wild-fowl had taken their departure for the 

 south, only a few stragglers remaining from the later 



